For ten years we have celebrated the good in our community, encouraging and inspiring people to do nice things for family, friends, neighbors, community leaders, and more. At the program's inception, we encouraged modest acts like buy coffee for a stranger, rake a neighbor's leaves, hold the door, compliment someone. It's grown into something magical and a yearlong effort.
Some highlights of Kindness Day:
~All five elementary schools facilitate an intergenerational program writing letters with pictures to local older adults. We collect over 1500 letters - and deliver to local senior housing. These gifts bring such joy to this often-isolated population! The best part of this program is when other students deliver these letters and take time to read them together.
~We also work with the High School Administration to have all 900 students write a note of thanks to a teacher that impacted them over the course of the educational career. The feedback from teachers is always powerful and emotional.
~Our youngest learners (at preschools and daycares) - with help from teachers - create kindness posters that are displayed in public buildings and businesses across the community.
~Students at both the middle and high schools create cards for both hospital patients and staff. On Kindness Day, we deliver fresh cider donuts to all hospital staff thanking them for the incredible care they give.
~Then we begin pairing "kindness warriors" with people & organizations doing great work in the community. For example, a couple delivered a complete BBQ lunch to the DPW, the police breakroom was restocked with drinks & snacks from a HS club. Some Clubs host a donation drive. The opportunities are limitless!
~A local art nonprofit creates an interactive mural alongside the YMCA wall to be enjoyed for weeks.
~ and the amazing Julie Nolan offers free coffee, hugs & advice. Connection and community is everything.
Some highlights of Kindness Day:
~All five elementary schools facilitate an intergenerational program writing letters with pictures to local older adults. We collect over 1500 letters - and deliver to local senior housing. These gifts bring such joy to this often-isolated population! The best part of this program is when other students deliver these letters and take time to read them together.
~We also work with the High School Administration to have all 900 students write a note of thanks to a teacher that impacted them over the course of the educational career. The feedback from teachers is always powerful and emotional.
~Our youngest learners (at preschools and daycares) - with help from teachers - create kindness posters that are displayed in public buildings and businesses across the community.
~Students at both the middle and high schools create cards for both hospital patients and staff. On Kindness Day, we deliver fresh cider donuts to all hospital staff thanking them for the incredible care they give.
~Then we begin pairing "kindness warriors" with people & organizations doing great work in the community. For example, a couple delivered a complete BBQ lunch to the DPW, the police breakroom was restocked with drinks & snacks from a HS club. Some Clubs host a donation drive. The opportunities are limitless!
~A local art nonprofit creates an interactive mural alongside the YMCA wall to be enjoyed for weeks.
~ and the amazing Julie Nolan offers free coffee, hugs & advice. Connection and community is everything.